lunge for

lunge for (someone or something)

To leap forward to grab, attack, or strike someone or something. The criminal lunged for the police officer with a knife, but the cop was able to subdue him without difficulty. The lion lunged for the gazelle, burying its claws and teeth into the animal's hindquarters. I was expecting a call from a girl I liked, so I lunged for the phone the moment it rang so no one else would answer it.
See also: lunge
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lunge for someone or something

to charge or jump at someone or something; to attack someone or something. The mugger lunged for her, but she dodged him. Ted lunged for the door, but Bill beat him to it.
See also: lunge
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • lunge for (someone or something)
  • lunge at
  • lunge at (someone or something)
  • cop (something) from (someone or something)
  • cop from
  • struggle with
  • struggle with (someone or something)
  • cop it
  • cop hold of
  • cop hold of (someone or something)
References in classic literature
Once it fell about the short neck of Horta, the boar, and his mad lunge for freedom toppled Tarzan from the overhanging limb where he had lain in wait and from whence he had launched his sinuous coil.
Tarzan of the Apes
A stampede of defensive linemen lunge for him with a single aim -- to slam him to the ground before the football escapes his hand.
Move that mass!